Hockey’s Cuts Hurt Local Families

Member for Lalor, Joanne Ryan has condemned the Liberal Government for its draft legislation to abolish the Schoolkids Bonus.

Ms Ryan said that the changes which would mean more than 1.25 million Australian families were worse off.

“Locally, these cuts will leave more than 12,000 Wyndham families struggling to cover the costs of their children’s education,” Ms Ryan said.

“As a former teacher and principal, I know how important this money is to local families to pay for books, uniforms and excursions.”

Ms Ryan said that that not only was Joe Hockey ripping funds away from families, he was also trying to dupe the community about his reasons for doing so.

“Mr Hockey is claiming the Schoolkids Bonus was paid for by the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) – but it wasn’t.”

“Mr Hockey should know the Schoolkids Bonus replaced the Education Tax Refund and has nothing to do with the MRRT.”

“Mr Hockey is trying to fool Australian families by repealing the Schoolkids Bonus and then shirking responsibility”.

Ms Ryan said the Schoolkids Bonus provided $410 for each child in primary school and $820 for each child in secondary school.

“More than 1.25 million Australian families will be worse off if the Schoolkids Bonus is scrapped. Cutting the Schoolkids Bonus means the average family with two kids will be $1,230 worse off every year and $15,000 worse off over the life of their child’s education”.

“I call on Mr Hockey to take responsibility and explain why he is making life harder for Australian families”.